DSR 11C
Against this background, the Hong Kong Government were
understandably reluctant to allow the HUEY FONG to enter
Hong Kong waters, although food, water and medical help have
been supplied to the refugees on board throughout the past
month. The vessel's first port of call was Kaohsiung in
Taiwan. Her master was told not to come to Hong Kong when
he was still over 1,000 miles away and not significantly
further from Kaohsiung, but he chose to ignore the Government
message and insisted on continuing to Hong Kong. The Colony
has consistently maintained a humane and liberal policy
towards the reception of Vietnamese refugees. The first-port-
of-call principle (that vessels having rescued people at
sea should continue to their next port unless there are
overriding reasons for not doing so) has been applied faith-
Mạng Kong
fully by the Government. The United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees regards this principle as reasonable and humane.
Malaysia's record in taking refugees is good. As I made
clear in the House, Malaysia has already received some 40,000
refugees. The large number of small boat refugees who are
finding their way to the coast of West Malaysia are placing
a very heavy burden on the Malaysian authorities. Malaysia's
problems were discussed at length at the High Commissioner's
international consultations last month.
I return your constituent's letter.
Dď 0512000 400 M Sİ78 HM50 Brocknall